India Enacts SHANTI Bill 2025 to Transform Nuclear Energy Landscape with Private Sector Participation
The Indian Parliament enacted the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill on 20 December 2025, replacing the Atomic Energy Act of 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act of 2010. This legislation facilitates private sector participation in nuclear power generation while maintaining government control over the strategic fuel cycle.
The SHANTI Act introduces a liability framework with caps based on reactor size, addressing concerns about operator accountability and potential undercompensation for catastrophic incidents. The bill aims to operationalize the 2008 civil nuclear deal, enhancing India's nuclear capabilities while addressing gaps in regulatory independence and safety accountability. This move is seen as timely given the evolving global nuclear landscape and the ongoing threats posed by nuclear proliferation.
